Heel



Nov. 18, 1941. F. A. PARKHURST HEEL Original Filed March 23, 1939 '2Sheets-Sheet 1 'Nov. 18, 1941. F. A. PARKHURST HEEL Original Filed March23, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lfrzverziar:

Patented Nov. 18, 1941 HEEL Frederic A. Parkhurst, Sufield, Conn.,

Monsanto Chemical Company, St. Louis, corporation of Delaware Originalapplication Divided and March 23, 1939, Serial this application July 8,

1939, Serial No. 283,416

(on. 36-42) g 1 Claim.

This invention relates to boot and shoe heels and has for its generalobject to provide a light, inexpensive and durable heel of attractiveappearance which can be readily molded by well known means and methodsfrom suitable plastic materials, and which is provided with a normallysecurely retained but detachable and replaceable toplift. The presentcase is a division of my prior application filed. March 23, 1939, SerialNo. 263,619, which contains claims covering certain features of the heelper so not claimed herein.

The more particular objects of the invention. together with meanscarried into effect, will best be understood from the followingdescription of certain illustrative embodiments thereof shown in theaccompanying drawings, these, however, having been chosen for purposesof exemplification merely, it being obvious that the invention, asdefined by theclaim hereunto appended, may be otherwise embodied withoutdeparture from its spirit and scope- In said drawings:

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are a plan view, side elevation m mate n all and frontelevation, respectively, of a heel embodying the invention, the topliftbeing omitted.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a toplift for use with the heelillustrated in the preceding figures.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, showing the toplift inplace, and illustrating a further development.

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are views similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, respectively,illustrating a modification.

Fig. 9 is a section taken substantially on the line 9-9, Fig. 6, of thecompleted heel.

Figs. 10 and 11 are views similar to Figs. 6 and '7, respectively, of afurther modification.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the heel therein shown comprises a hollowshell 15 die cast or molded in accordance with well-known methods from asuitable plastic material or composition having the requisite strength,density and hardness, such, for example, as cellulose acetate moldingcompositions, molding resins, the vinyl acetals and chlorides, styrene,etc. Adjacent its whereby the latter may be assignor to Mo., a

At its lower end the heel or shell'is formed with a socket comprising anopening 18 in its bottom wall, said opening being of smallercross-sectional area than that of the interior of the heel, andbeing'surrounded by an intumed flange or wall l9 which, in theconstruction shown, is reinforced by the web ll.

The socket |8I9, which is of square or other non-circular form, isadapted to receive the similarly shaped shank or stem 20 (Figs. 4 and 5)of a top lift 2|, preferably molded from the same material as that ofthe shell or heel proper. The stem orshank 23 is formed integral withthe toplift 2| and may, if desired, be reinforced by an embeddedmetallic element, such as a nail 22, Fig. 5. The stem or shank 20 is ofsuch size and shape as to fit sufliciently snugly into the socket Iii-l9to retain the toplift in place during normal conditions of use whilepermitting said toplift to be removed and replaced when necessitated bywear without the use of special tools. The retention of the shank 20inits socket may be rendered more secure by applying a coating of rosin,powdered pumice, or other frictional It will be understood that theshell I5 will be formed of a sumciently hard, dense plastic material togive the same, when molded, the requisite durability and surfacesmoothness. If desired, the heel may be further strengthened andreinforced by filling said shell with an inferior or softer plasticmaterial as shown at 23 in Fig. 5. Such plastic material may be, forexample, the plastic composition described in the patent to Griffiths,No. 1,833,618, December 29, 1931, or a upper or heel seat end, where theheel or shell is the largest in cross section, it is stiffened andstrengthened by vertical reinforcing ribs I6. Said heel or shell isfurther stiffened by a vertical reinforcing web I! which extendscompletely across the same from front to back for substantially itsentire height and is preferably Joined at at least one end to one of theribs material similar to that commonly employed for filling shoe bottomsand composed of ground cork and suitable binder, such as phenol resin.

When a filler 23 is employed, the reinforcing ribs I 6 and web l1, mayin some instances be omitted, as in the case of the shell [5a shown inFigs. 6 to 9, although the walls, IQ of the socket for receiving thetoplift shank 20 are preferably strengthened and braced by a shortreinforcing web 24, as in the case of the shell [5b shown in Figs. 10and 11.

I claim:

A boot or shoe heel comprising a hollow shell of molded plastic materialhaving a socket and a transverse web reinforcing said socket, and atoplift having a shank received in said socket to retain the same inplace.

FREDERIC A. PARKHURST.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent N 2.2'65,186. November 1 1 1 FREDERIC A. PARKHURST.

it is hereby certified that: error appears in the printed spe'cifiegtionof the abov line 52, before "reinforcing" insert theword -transverse-;and

oolmnn,

with this correction therein that the said Letters Patent should be readthat the same may conform to the record of the c Signed and sealed this50th day of Decenber, A. D. 19141..

Henry Van Arsdale Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

e numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page li first ase inthe Patent Office.'

